i've been wanting to try this one for awhile, and i finally took the time to do it this afternoon. it's pretty simple to mix up, just a little messy (sticky) when you spread it around on your baking trays. supposedly, in one cup portions, this is a healthy snack alternative. i made three variations. basically i split the recipe in half for each variety: nut (with sunflower seeds and almonds), fruit (wheat puffs cereal, soy puffs cereal, golden raisins and dried cranberries), sweet (peanut butter chips and chocolate chips). i added a cup of each ingredient, with the exception of the cereals i added 2 cups each.
the only problem i had was the granola occasionally stuck to the parchment paper when i tried to remove it. next time i'll spray the parchment with some spray. i don't suggest eliminating the parchment paper b/c it helps with breaking up (and removing) the granola. i divided each flavor into one cup servings and put it into ziploc "snack" bags.
i like each variety, except next time i think i'll combine the fruit and nut.
granola
kathy daelemans, cooking thin
1 to 1-1/2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
2 to 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
8 cups rolled oats
2 cups nuts and seeds, almonds and sunflower or any kind
Preheat oven to 275º. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or spray with non-stick spray. Dissolve the water and sugar in a microwave safe dish for 5 minutes. Add salt and vanilla extract. Stir syrup into oats. Fold in nuts and seeds.
Spread mixture onto baking pans, squeezing together clumps of granola in your hand as you drop onto pan. (This creates crunchy chunks.)
Bake in oven for 45 minutes to one hour. Let cool. Store in an airtight container or in one cup servings.
Trail Mix Variation: Add to granola any low calorie, sugar-free cereals. Suggested cereals – rice puffs, wheat puffs and soy flakes. Add dried fruits, such as apple, cherry, raisins, apricots or cranberries. Store in an airtight container or in one cup servings.
Posted by mmharlan at July 21, 2002 08:27 PM